Fixing Fregata

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to cruise and explore the world from the water, but there’s a darker side to boats.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog, to cover a topic that’s for our sailor friends who wish to commisurate about technical problems on boats.

Cruising sailboats are like swans, gliding gracefully across the water. What you don’t see are the feet frantically paddling below the surface. Below the surface of sailboats is a host of electric and mechanical systems enabling them to get from A to B safely and optimally while providing creature comforts to the crew. Key components are:

  • Diesel engine – provides propulsion when not under sail
  • Diesel generator – provides high wattage alternating current when at anchor
  • Solar panels – provide direct current to keep the batteries charged while sailing or at anchor
  • Autopilot – steers the boat for long stretches or when shorthanded
  • Air conditioner
  • Heater
  • Navigation electronics – chart plotter, depth, speed, radar, etc.
  • Plumbing – heads, galley, shower, water heater
  • Bilge – accumulates and discharges used (grey) water from heads and galley
  • Refrigeration – to store food
  • Galley appliances – stove, oven, microwave

 

Fregata, although relatively new, arrived with a slew of technical problems that needed to be repaired before we could begin the voyage. We believe many of the issues were due to her not being used enough by the prior owners before being put up for sale. And like any boat, it operates in a tough environment of salt water, varying temperatures while resisting the forces of wind and water.

Here are examples of what wasn’t working:

  • Autopilot stopped working shortly after starting to sail – nobody wants to manually steer a boat for 10 hours a day and it’s critical when all crew are needed elsewhere
  • Depth sounder not reporting – critical to keep from running aground
  • Boat speed transducer not reporting
  • Shaft brake not engaging – this keeps the propeller from spinning while sailing
  • Watermaker inoperable – this provides fresh water while at sea by transforming salt water via reverse osmosis
  • Davit inoperable – required to carry the dinghy astern
  • Diesel heater not working – not an issue in Florida, but in Maine it’s a different story
  • Some interior lighting not working
  • Air conditioner not cooling enough – maybe not critical but for us northerners visiting the south, much appreciated
  • Bilge wasn’t emptying consistently
  • Head (toilet) was backing up
 
Then, as with most cruising boats, the usual daily rhythm of issues arose:
  • Diesel fuel leak from engine
  • Oil leak from generator
  • Broken dip stick on generator
  • Mast-top video camera inoperable – used to back into slips since the helm is midship
 
The silver lining on the cloud of technical problems is that they force us to overcome fear of the unknown and not be overwhelmed when things go wrong. In other words, by researching the technology and digging into it, you learn how it works and become confident in your ability to address systems going forward.
 
Now, we wish we could claim we took care of everything ourselves. This is far from the truth. In particular, we called upon knowledgeable friends, online cruiser forums, manufacturers and, when necessary, professionals. On numerous occasions, we had parts shipped to a marina where we stopped for a few days.
 
Three particularly valuable resources we called upon regularly were:
  • The Amel Owners Yacht School. This is a business founded by Bill and Judy Rouse, experienced circumnavigators, which provides documentation, phone support, an owners’ forum and numerous other services to new owners of Amel sailboats. Highly recommended!
  • Amel Owners Tech Group on FaceBook. This is a community of owners of similar boats. The members are knowledgeable and quick to respond. With over a hundred Amel 50s on the water, it’s likely that somebody else has already encountered the problem.
  • Our good friend Todd has sailed his whole life, has built boats, and has amazing skills in mechanical and electrical systems, rigging and pretty much everything else that can fail. He was always ready to stop what he was doing and provide advice.

3 Responses

  1. Ahoy Sandy and Dan,
    Your blogs are fascinating and Dan love the historical perspectives you put in them. Must admit I was amazed at the number of major equipment not operating on Fregata. I thought the Lo Dolce Vita VII had issues! But as you explain a fabulous learning process with each item building your confidence. Pictures are great and I’m not surprised people are so friendly in the port, as you both are extremely welcoming and invite friendship. Keep the blogs coming. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

    Reply

  2. For those who sympathized or thought we bought a “lemon”, I just want to follow up and say that everything is repaired, the punch list is empty, and everything is working as it should and has been for several weeks… touch teak! We are increasingly knowledgeable about the quirks of this boat and how to keep her happy and operating well. So while there were moments when we wanted to take her offshore and scuttle her, we are increasingly confident in her and loving how she performs, both as a sailboat and as a summer home.

    Reply

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